One may ask what polar bears have to do with life in the Napa Valley.

We learned in late 2006 that the polar bears, those majestic arctic animals of nature films and Coca-Cola commercials, are soon to be added to the endangered species list. Their habitat is being destroyed as global warming continues to reduce the polar ice cap. Will polar bears survive the 21st century?

But there is more to consider: Hurricane Katrina, the violent weather now hitting the Pacific Northwest, ski resorts in Europe without snow, parts of our world facing unexpected droughts — all demonstrate that our climate is changing and that we, the people of this beautiful planet, have caused it to change. Will it be long before the micro-climates of the world’s wine regions also change? Will certain wine regions become too cool for grapes while others become too warm? Will certain areas become flood basins as sea levels are affected? How will the wine industry be affected by the ongoing climate changes? How will our lives be affected by such changes?

Do we sit and watch, or do we do something about this?

2007 brings a new year. It must also bring a new awareness about what each of us can do to protect our environment. Environmental Consciousness, a movement that started in the ’60s, has now matured into Environmental Responsibility. Hybrid cars, organic groceries, recycled products, green construction, sustainable agriculture and many related movements have become a permanent part of everyday life. Yet there is more that we can do.

The city of Napa will bring forward a green building ordinance in 2007, and thus influence more environmentally responsible construction throughout the city. A similar effort will follow to bring such an ordinance to the county. In the private sector, one of the valley’s premier philanthropic organizations is moving ahead with a landmark “Sustainable Napa Valley Initiative” that will set a new standard for environmentally responsible philanthropy. These are all wonderful, progressive efforts.

This should be the year for every valley resident to make the effort to improve our environment locally and globally. Today’s print and visual medias are filled with “environmental reports,” “green guidelines,” “green checklists” and similar information about how we can improve our environment, reduce energy usage, make our air and water cleaner, improve indoor air quality and bring an end to climate change. All the knowledge required to make a difference is there for the taking. It is action that is needed.

Let’s make 2007 our most environmentally responsible year yet. Let’s make this a year when we improved our planet instead of degrading it. Let’s make this a year when our Napa Valley became greener. Let’s make this a year when we helped to save the polar bears.

(Massaro lives in Napa.)